Ps. 62:5-6

The beach vacation is over, but I am still in Va Beach with my grandparents until tomorrow. Maybe working outside in the hot sun isn't typical "relaxation" but I have loved getting to help Gramps with the mowing and the hedge trimming (well, the clean-up from the hedge trimming). If I'm dressed to get sweaty and dirty, I love it. Sometime, I want to bale hay.

I had a refreshing visit with Kirk Lehner (youth pastor of Colonial) and his wife last night. We've been friends since I was 4. He used to visit our house on his way to and from college about 15 years ago, and we have continued to stay in touch, especially with his visits to Northland during my time there. Being encouraged, challenged, and refreshed all at once is a welcomed but privileged opportunity. I think that I will learn to appreciate that even more as I go to a secular grad school.

God's promises, not only about Himself but also about His work, remain unchanging even during the midst of circumstantial transitions. How thankful I am for this, and for His complete sufficiency whether we choose to accept it or not. But what greater peace and joy and fulfillment results from a life that is satisfied with Him alone!

"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense: I shall not be moved." Ps.62:5-6

Our vacation week has come to an end. Mom, Buddy, and I are staying a few extra days with Gramps, Gram, and Grace, so we are still in the Va Beach area. The week was good, not only to relax and enjoy, but also to continue to grow in the Lord. I am thankful that He never takes vacation from His work in my heart. The more He works, the more I realize how much more transforming I need Him to do. I guess that is a good thing, but it is not self-satisfying. Then again, self-satisfaction minimizes need for Him, so I shouldn't want that to begin with! I have been sobered with the reality of sin, not only in me but around me. But I have been claiming His promises that He has given me everything I need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3), that He is working in me giving me the desire to obey Him as well as the power I need to obey (Phil. 2:13). The life of a pilgrim is the one I am to be living. I want to, but the conflict is great. My mindset is not naturally eternal. But I praise my eternal God for patiently performing His purification of my life so that I will be a vessel fit for His unique purpose for me.

Vacation blessings

Another good day at the beach. The weather has been beautiful: not too hot, but warm enough to need sunscreen (well, maybe I discovered that a bit too late today). So, I've been thinking. . . how do I "vacation" when I am accustomed to always having something to do or somewhere to go? Reading is great, but I can only sit for so long. Working on blogs and facebooks can be fun, (and also waste a great deal of time), but this doesn't provide much lasting substance. Maybe no one else has this conflict, and for that you should be thankful. But today, after reading and thinking about a section in Lewis S. Chafer's He That is Spiritual on the concept of being dead to sin, I found Gramps and had a great discussion with him. He is so wise, yet very humble and practical. I walked away from our conversation with a greater thankfulfulness both for a godly grandfather and for a God who has given me everything I need for life and godliness.

Extended run

My cousin, Wes, and I decided to go for what we understood was a 7-mile run this morning. We got half-way and my nike+ipod revealed that we had already completed 4.09 mi. and we were just turning around to go back. Needless to say, after a 8.18mi. run, we are both a bit sore. But it was definitely worth it: early in the morning (well, 7-8am), sun shining but with a nice breeze coming off the ocean, wave noise in the background, and a cousin to run with. I did miss a few things though, especially some good hills. Those, however, are foreign to Virginia beaches. I did get to see a beautiful sunrise before we started. That was wonderful!

Beach vacation with the Olsons

This week is the bi-annual reunion of Gram and Gramps Olson's 50th anniversary. 20 of the 21 family members are enjoying a house almost right on the Virginia beach at Sandbridge. Katherine, my sister, has helped me create a blog. I hope to be able to post updates while I am in Russia (June 21-Aug. 6), and then on to grad school at JMU this fall. But until then, I will enjoy the beach, and let you enjoy as much as you can from pictures and posts.